Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time, while climate is the average weather of a place over many years. The climate of India is influenced by its location/latitude, distance from the sea, height (altitude), and the prevailing winds. Places near the sea have a moderate climate because sea and land breezes reduce extremes. Hill stations are cooler due to higher altitude.

India mainly has three seasons: Summer (March–June), Monsoon/Rainy (June–September), and Winter (November–February). During summer, the hot, dry wind called Loo blows over the Northern Plains. The most important season for our country is the Monsoon when moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal bring rain to most parts of India. The eastern coast also faces cyclones. In the south-east, especially Tamil Nadu, rainfall is received in winter from the retreating (north-east) monsoon.

The monsoon is vital for agriculture, drinking water, rivers and electricity generation. It decides what crops are grown and also affects our food, clothing, houses and festivals. The world’s wettest place, Mawsynram in Meghalaya, gets very heavy rainfall, while some regions remain dry. Understanding climate helps us plan farm activities, save water and stay safe during heatwaves and cyclones.

मौसम (Weather) किसी समय का वातावरण होता है, जबकि जलवायु (Climate) किसी स्थान का लंबे समय का औसत मौसम है। भारत की जलवायु पर स्थान/अक्षांश, समुद्र से दूरी, ऊँचाई और हवाएँ/मानसूनी पवनें प्रभाव डालती हैं। समुद्र के पास स्थित स्थानों का मौसम संतुलित रहता है और पर्वतीय प्रदेश ऊँचाई के कारण ठंडे होते हैं।

भारत में मुख्यतः तीन ऋतुएँ हैं—गर्मी (मार्च–जून), वर्षा/मानसून (जून–सितंबर) और सर्दी (नवंबर–फरवरी)। गर्मियों में उत्तरी मैदानों में लू नामक गरम व सूखी हवा चलती है। मानसून के समय अरब सागर और बंगाल की खाड़ी से नमी भरी हवाएँ वर्षा कराती हैं। पूर्वी तट पर कभी-कभी चक्रवात आते हैं। देश के दक्षिण-पूर्व, विशेषकर तमिलनाडु, को शीत ऋतु में उत्तर-पूर्वी मानसून से वर्षा मिलती है। सबसे अधिक वर्षा वाला स्थान मावसिनराम (मेघालय) है।

मानसून हमारे कृषि के लिए जीवनदायिनी है—फसलें, पेयजल, नदियाँ, झीलें और जलविद्युत सब इसी पर निर्भर करते हैं। जलवायु हमारे खाने-पीने, पहनावे, घरों के प्रकार और त्योहारों को भी प्रभावित करती है। जलवायु को समझकर हम सूखा-बाढ़, गर्मी-लू और चक्रवात जैसी स्थितियों से सुरक्षित रह सकते हैं तथा जल का बेहतर संरक्षण कर सकते हैं।

1) What factors determine the climate of a place?

Latitude/location, altitude (height), distance from the sea, direction of winds and humidity. Relief features also influence rainfall.

2) How does location influence climate?

Near the equator it is hotter; high mountains are cooler; places near the sea have moderate climate due to sea/land breezes.

3) How does climate affect our lives?

It decides crops, clothes, house types, festivals and daily routines. For example, monsoon sets the sowing season.

4) Name India’s three main seasons.

Summer (Mar–Jun), Monsoon/Rainy (Jun–Sep), Winter (Nov–Feb). Some regions also feel spring and autumn/retreating monsoon.

5) How does India receive rainfall?

Moist winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal bring rain in the south-west monsoon; Tamil Nadu gets rain from the north-east monsoon in winter.

6) Why are coastal areas cooler and more humid?

Because of sea breezes and abundant moisture (humidity) from the sea; this moderates temperature.

7) What is “loo” and where does it blow?

Loo is a very hot, dry wind that blows over the Northern Plains during summer afternoons.

8) What are cyclones?

Violent storms with strong winds and heavy rain, often affecting the eastern coast during monsoon/retreating monsoon.

9) Which place is the wettest in India?

Mawsynram in Meghalaya.

10) Which Indian state mainly gets winter rainfall?

Tamil Nadu (from the north-east/retreating monsoon).

1) What are the factors determining the climate of a place?

Latitude/location of the place, altitude (height), distance from the sea, direction of winds and humidity, and local relief features.

2) How does the location of a place influence its climate?

Places near the equator are hotter; higher altitudes (mountains) are cooler; coastal areas have moderate temperatures because of sea/land breezes; interiors face more extremes.

3) How does climate affect our lives?

It influences the crops we grow, our clothing and houses, water availability, occupations and festivals. Monsoon timing guides farming calendars.

4) What are the three main seasons in India, and which parts experience additional seasons?

Summer (Mar–Jun), Monsoon (Jun–Sep) and Winter (Nov–Feb). Some regions observe spring and autumn; south-east India (Tamil Nadu) experiences winter/retreating monsoon rains.

5) How does India receive rainfall? Explain the significance of the monsoon season.

Moist winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal bring rainfall in the south-west monsoon; the north-east monsoon gives winter rain to Tamil Nadu. Monsoon is vital for agriculture, drinking water, rivers and power generation, and supports life across the country.